Gentlemen Only

Our pick of the menswear stores worth flying across the globe for

There are men’s stores, then there are establishments that go over and above simply delivering a retail experience to becoming bastions that pamper the masculine senses. Here’s our pick:

1. DUNHILL
Bourdon House, Mayfair, London
BECAUSE… It’s your ticket to the quintessential British gentlemen’s club – humidor, barbershop, spa, bar, lounge et al. The fact that this very lavish, very manly store is set in a Georgian-style mansion that was once the residence of the Duke of Westminster is just the icing on top.

2. GUCCI
Brera, Milan
BECAUSE… When you’re not rubbing shoulders with James Franco or perusing Lapo Elkann’s exclusive collection for Gucci in-store, you can indulge in a full bespoke experience. Trust the Italian mega-title to dedicate an entire ­ floor to its Made to Measure service.

3. DOLCE & GABBANA
New Bond Street, London
BECAUSE… An opulent condom holder and a portrait of a bare-breasted Playboy model make up the artwork. Because you’re offered sumptuous robes and slippers when you check into the barbershop. Because Kanye West was referring to this store when he sang “Good Life” – he just didn’t know it then.

4. HERMÈS
Madison Avenue, New York
BECAUSE… Beauty and testosterone are one and the same here. Come marvel at a $9,750 leather baseball jacket – handcrafted especially for the store. Leave with a reversible Quentin belt in black and chocolate.

5. TOD’S
Spiga, Milan
BECAUSE… This wood-panelled, richly decorated space is called the “Sartorial Touch” for good reason: It’s accessible via a glass elevator, has a bar ­filled with the rarest of whiskies and is the only store to carry the J.P. Tod’s capsule collection.

6. LANVIN
Madison Avenue, New York
BECAUSE… Once you sit on the silk velvet banquette in the VIP section, you’re unlikely to budge. If you do get up – and there are three floors of luxe Italian tailoring to browse through – you’ll be presented with an elegance that’s enough to give other Madison Ave stores a kick in the nether regions.

7. ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
Shinjuku, Tokyo
BECAUSE… This is what the future of luxury retail looks like: Slick glass panels and ­five floors worth of the Zegna experience – including suiting, sportswear and accessories from the eponymous line, Z Zegna and Zegna Sport.

8. RALPH LAUREN
Prince’s Building, Hong Kong
BECAUSE… Only Ralph Lauren could lasso a store this perfect – a 10,000-square-foot space brought to life with a king-sized mural in one of Hong Kong’s swankiest buildings. Inside, there are dedicated areas for Purple Label custom suits and Black Label luxe sportswear. PS: Stop by the bar for a dram of bourbon on your way out.